Sunday, November 3, 2013

Review: Sempre by J.M Darhower

A sexy novel about two seventeen-year-olds—one a victim of human trafficking; the other the son of the man who enslaved her—who fall in love and question everything they ever believed…Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco grew up under vastly different circumstances. Haven, a second-generation slave, was isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse. Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege and excess.Now, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide. Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that while different on the surface, they have more in common than anyone would think.In a world full of chaos, where money and power rule, Haven and Carmine yearn to break free, but a string of events that began before either of them were born threatens to destroy them instead. Murder and betrayal are a way of life, and nothing comes without a price—especially not freedom. But how much will they have to sacrifice? Can they escape their pasts? And, most of all, what does it mean to be free?

I had the great pleasure of reading this in
it's original glory out in fandom. I was such a fan-fiction junkie at one point
in my life, ready to get that next fix on the latest obsession, which EP was
exactly that. I remember that sweet sting of anticipation week after week for
months and months. This story is probably one of the most powerful books I've ever read. It’s nothing like I've read before and still haven’t being the avid
reader I am today. So when I found out that this book wasfinallycoming home, as a self-pub I couldn't
wait to add this must-have gem to my collection. But then I heard that this was
picked up and polished to a brilliant shine. I can’t seem to get enough of this
story, each version is precious and still has a profound affect on my heart.

Sempreis everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It
was strange to be in this world again. It was so familiar and yet different.
J.M Darhower did a phenomenal job transforming her story and bringing it to
even greater heights. Carmine and Haven's story is truly unforgettable. It’s
filled with a tailspin of the purest, rawest emotions but still utterly gorgeous,
moving and touches something deep inside me.

This book is about two teenagers who lead two very different
lives. One is surrounded by riches, power and privilege while the other is
abused, tortured and lives in constant fear. The plot is very sensitive-worthy,
doing cruel things to my heart. It intertwines human trafficking, organized
crime and a forbidden love. It's a story about secrets, betrayal, sacrifice and an all consuming love. It's thought proving, heart breaking and a heart warming
story all wrapped up in one epic tale.

All of these characters are fierce, incredibly complicated
and amazingly put together.

Dr. DeMarco (Vincent) is a cold, calculating,
menacing and dangerous man that made me want to fear and hate him, but there is
a side to him that is compassionate and kind. He's the type of character you
can't help but love and hate.Haven is such a warm, innocent and vulnerable
thing. What she had to survive in her young life is something I wouldn't even
begin to fathom and yet through it all she remains kind, loving and grateful. I
love her strength and her willingness to believe and hope against monstrous
odds.Carmine has always been a complete mess, but who
could blame him with the kind of life he lived and had to live through. At
first, Carmine is numb, vulgar and blunt with such uncontrollable temper, but
once he started to fall in love with Haven, that bleeding heart started to heal
and it was those moments that touched me more then anything else.

Carmine and Haven have such an epic kind of
love, it stands strong against anything and anyone who stands in their way. Its
simple beautiful, there really is no other way to say it. Those were my
favorite parts, the falling in love moments that made my toes curl and my heart
pound. There is so much I wanted for these characters and while I may not like
some of the decisions made, I'm still happy with what they accomplished in the
end.

All in all, I couldn't love this more. J. M Darhower is a brilliant writer. EP and Sempre has a very special place in my heart.Always
and Forever.
And I look forward to reading the continuation
to Carmine and Haven’s story in the next book; Sempre: Redempton.

4 comments:

I seem to be one of the only ones who really did not enjoy this book. I had heard so much good about it from all my friends, I picked it up because it sounded like something I would enjoy. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with it. I'm glad you enjoyed it, though. I seem to be in the minority on this one.